Body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronic device

ABSTRACT

A body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronic device may include a shoulder harness having interconnected first and second portions configured to be supported by first and second shoulders respectively of a wearer. An electronic device support pouch configured to removably receive the electronic device therein may be attached to the first portion of the shoulder harness such that it extends under one arm and along one side of the wearer when the shoulder harness is worn by the wearer. An accessory support unit configured to removably receive one or more accessory items therein may be attached to the second portion of the shoulder harness such that it extends under an opposite arm and along an opposite side of the wearer when the shoulder harness is worn by the wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/487,521, filed May 18, 2011,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to apparatuses for carryingand/or transporting electronic devices, and more specifically to suchapparatuses worn on the body.

BACKGROUND

Numerous apparatuses and mechanisms exist for carrying and transportingportable electronic devices such as computers and hand-held electronicdevices. It is desirable to design an apparatus for carrying and/ortransporting a portable electronic device which can be worn on aperson's body.

SUMMARY

The present invention may comprise one or more of the features recitedin the attached claims, and/or one or more of the following features andcombinations thereof. In one aspect, a body-worn apparatus for carryingan electronic device may comprise a shoulder harness havinginterconnected first and second portions configured to be supported byfirst and second shoulders respectively of a wearer. An electronicdevice support pouch may be attached to the first portion of theshoulder harness. The electronic device support pouch may extend underone arm and along one side of the wearer when the shoulder harness isworn by the wearer. The electronic device support pouch may beconfigured to removably receive the electronic device therein. Anaccessory support unit may be attached to the second portion of theshoulder harness. The accessory support unit may extend under anopposite arm and along an opposite side of the wearer when the shoulderharness is worn by the wearer. The accessory support unit may beconfigured to removably receive one or more accessory items therein.

In another aspect, a body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronicdevice, the apparatus may comprise a shoulder harness havinginterconnected first and second portions configured to be supported byfirst and second shoulders respectively of a wearer. An electronicdevice support pouch may be configured to releasably attach to either ofthe first and second portions of the shoulder harness with theelectronic device support pouch extending downwardly along one or anopposite side respectively of the wearer when the shoulder harness isworn by the wearer. The electronic device support pouch may beconfigured to removably receive the electronic device therein. Anaccessory support unit may be configured to releasably attach to eitherof the first and second portions of the shoulder harness with theaccessory support unit extending downwardly along the one or theopposite side respectively of the wearer when the shoulder harness isworn by the wearer. The accessory support unit may be configured toremovably receive one or more accessory items therein. The accessorysupport unit may be releasably attached to the second portion of theshoulder harness when the electronic device support pouch is releasablyattached to the first portion of the shoulder harness such that theelectronic device support pouch is carried by the shoulder harness alongthe one side of the wearer and the accessory support unit is carried bythe shoulder harness along the opposite side of the wearer. Theaccessory support unit may be releasably attached to the first portionof the shoulder harness when the electronic device support pouch isreleasably attached to the second portion of the shoulder harness suchthat the accessory support unit is carried by the shoulder harness alongthe one side of the wearer and the electronic device support pouch iscarried by the shoulder harness along the opposite side of the wearer.

In yet another aspect, a body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronicdevice, the apparatus may comprise a shoulder strap configured to besupported by a shoulder of a wearer. An electronic device support pouchmay be attached to the shoulder strap. The electronic device supportpouch may define an opening configured to removably receive within theelectronic device support pouch the electronic device. The electronicdevice support pouch may have a flap sized to extend over the openingwhen the electronic device is received within the electronic devicestorage pouch. A closure mechanism may be configured to selectivelysecure the flap to the electronic device support pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of one illustrative embodiment of abody-worn apparatus for carrying an electronic device shown being wornand supported by a model of a human.

FIG. 1B is a magnified view of the portion of FIG. 1A within the arealabeled 1B.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of another illustrative embodiment ofa body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronic device shown being wornand supported by a model of a human.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.5.

FIG. 7 is a left side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 5-7.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of yet another illustrativeembodiment of a body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronic deviceshown being worn and supported by a model of a human.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.9.

FIG. 11 is a left side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 9-10.

FIG. 12 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 9-11.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of still another illustrativeembodiment of a body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronic deviceshown being worn and supported by a model of a human.

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG.13.

FIG. 15 is a left side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 13-14.

FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 13-15.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a further illustrative embodimentof a body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronic device shown beingworn and supported by a model of a human.

FIG. 18 is a left side elevational view of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of yet a further illustrativeembodiment of a body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronic deviceshown being worn and supported by a model of a human.

FIG. 20 is a right side elevational view of the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to a number of illustrativeembodiments shown in the attached drawings and specific language will beused to describe the same.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2-4, front, magnified, rear, left andright elevational views of one illustrative embodiment of a body-wornapparatus 10 for carrying an electronic device 80 are shown with theapparatus 10 being worn and supported by a model of a human 12 (“thewearer”). In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes ashoulder harness 20 that is sized and configured to be worn on andsupported by the shoulders 14A and 14B of the wearer 12. The shoulderharness 20 illustratively includes one portion 22A that is sized andconfigured to be worn on and supported by a right shoulder 14A of thewearer 12, and another portion 22B that is sized and configured to beworn on and supported by a left shoulder 14B of the wearer 12. In theillustrated embodiment, the portions 22A and 22B are mirror images ofeach other, although this disclosure contemplates embodiments in whichthe portions 22A and 22B are sized and/or configured differently fromeach other. The portions 22A and 22B of the shoulder harness 20 areillustratively separate from each other and are joined via an attachmentmember 22C as illustrated in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the portions 22Aand 22B are each provided in the form of single, flexible orsemi-flexible web, strap or tether, and the attachment member 22C islikewise provided in the form of a flexible or semi-flexible web, strapor tether which joins the two separate webs, straps or tethers 22A and22B in a region of the shoulder harness 20 that extends across the upperback of the wearer 12 as illustrated by example in FIG. 2.Alternatively, the portions 22A and 22B may be formed of other suitableflexible and/or semi-flexible materials, and/or the attachment member22C may be provided in the form of a flexible, semi-flexible or rigidring or other conventional retaining member, coupled to and between theportions 22A and 22B of the shoulder harness 20. Alternatively still,this disclosure contemplates embodiments in which the portions 22A and22B of the shoulder harness 20 are not separate from each other, butrather together form a single, unitary structure.

In the illustrated embodiment, a number of connectors are attached tothe shoulder harness 20, each of which is configured to releasablyconnect to a correspondingly configured connector attached to anotherstructure that is separate from the shoulder harness 20, e.g., to apouch or to an accessory support or storage unit. While any number ofconnectors may be attached to the shoulder harness 20, the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-4 has two such connectors attached to eachportion 22A and 22B, e.g., each web 22A and 22B, of the shoulder harness20. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 1A and 4, for example, one end of afront portion of the web 22A, i.e., a portion of the web 22A thatextends over the wearer's right shoulder 14A and extends downwardlyalong the front of the right shoulder 14A and then downwardly along theright side 16A of the wearer 12, extends downwardly through a slot 23Adefined through a conventional connector 24A, and then upwardly intoattachment with a conventional web length adjuster 26A. The length ofthe front portion of the web 22A between the attachment portion 22C andthe connector 24A can be adjusted in a conventional manner by advancingmore or less of the front portion of the web 22A through the web lengthadjusting device 26A. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4, one end ofa rear portion of the web 22A, i.e., a portion of the web 22A thatextends over the wearer's right shoulder 14A and extends downwardlyalong the back of the right shoulder 14A and then downwardly along theright side 16A of the wearer 12, extends downwardly through a slot 27Adefined through a conventional connector 28A, and then upwardly intoattachment with a conventional web length adjuster 30A. The length ofthe rear portion of the web 22A between the attachment portion 22C andthe connector 28A can be adjusted in a conventional manner by advancingmore or less of the rear portion of the web 22A through the web lengthadjusting device 30A. While two such connectors 24A, 28A are shownconnected to the portion 22A of the shoulder harness 20 in FIGS. 1A-4,it will be understood that more or fewer such connectors/webs can beconnected or attached to the portion 22A of the shoulder harness 20,and/or any number of connectors/webs can be formed integral with theportion 22A of the shoulder harness 20 so that at least such number ofwebs and the portion 22A of the shoulder harness 20 together form asingle, unitary structure.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 1A and 3, one end of a front portion ofthe web 22B, i.e., a portion of the web 22B that extends over thewearer's left shoulder 14B and extends downwardly along the front of theleft shoulder 14B and then downwardly along the left side 16B of thewearer 12, extends downwardly through a slot 23B defined through anotherconventional connector 24B, and then upwardly into attachment withanother conventional web length adjuster 26B. The length of the frontportion of the web 22B between the attachment portion 22C and theconnector 24B can be adjusted in a conventional manner by advancing moreor less of the front portion of the web 22B through the web lengthadjusting device 26B. As seen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, one end ofa rear portion of the web 22B, i.e., a portion of the web 22B thatextends over the wearer's left shoulder 14B and extends downwardly alongthe back of the left shoulder 14B and then downwardly along the leftside 16B of the wearer 12, extends downwardly through a slot 27B definedthrough another conventional connector 28B, and then upwardly intoattachment with another conventional web length adjuster 30B. The lengthof the rear portion of the web 22B between the attachment portion 22Cand the connector 28B can be adjusted in a conventional manner byadvancing more or less of the rear portion of the web 22B through theweb length adjusting device 30B. Again, while two such connectors 24B,28B are shown connected to the portion 22B of the shoulder harness 20 inFIGS. 1A-4, it will be understood that more or fewer suchconnectors/webs can be connected or attached to the portion 22B of theshoulder harness 20, and/or any number of connectors/webs can be formedintegral with the portion 22B of the shoulder harness 20 so that atleast such number of webs and the portion 22B of the shoulder harness 20together form a single, unitary structure.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4, an electronic devicesupport or storage pouch 70 is attached to the portion 22B of theshoulder harness, e.g., via the connectors 24BA, 28B, such that thepouch 70 extends under the left arm and along the left side 16B of thewearer 12 adjacent to the waist 18 or between the waist 18 and the leftshoulder 14B of the wearer 12. The pouch 70 illustratively defines amouth or opening 72 at one end (see FIG. 1A), a closed opposite end 74,and closed, opposing sides 76 and 78 (see FIG. 3). The pouch 70 is sizedand configured to removably receive an electronic device 80 therein, aswill be described in greater detail hereinafter.

A number of connectors are attached to the electronic device supportpouch 70, each of which is configured to releasably connect to acorrespondingly configured connector attached to the shoulder harness20, e.g., to the portion 22A or the portion 22B of the shoulder harness20. While any number of connectors may be attached to the pouch 70, theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4 has two such connectors attached tothe pouch 70. In the illustrated embodiment, and as seen most clearly inFIGS. 1A, 2 and 3, for example, a strap or web 34B is attached at oneend to the side 76 of the pouch 70 at, near or toward the opening 72. Anopposite end of the web 34B is advanced through a slot 31B definedthrough a conventional connector 32B and is then attached to the side 76of the pouch 70. In alternate embodiments, more or fewer lengths of web34B may be connected between the pouch 70 and the connector 32B, and theoverall length of the one or more lengths of web 34B may vary or beadjustable depending upon the application. In any case, the connector32B is configured to be releasably connected to the connector 24B. Inthe illustrated embodiment, for example, the connector 24B is providedin the form of a planar member, e.g., triangular in shape, having adual-diameter opening 25B defined through the planar member, and theconnector 32B is likewise provided in the form of a planar member, e.g.,also triangular in shape, having a headed protrusion 33B extendingperpendicularly away from the plane defined by the connector 32B. Theheaded protrusion 33B and the dual-diameter opening 25B are sized suchthat the head of the protrusion can pass through the larger opening ofthe dual diameter opening 25B but cannot pass through the smalleropening of the dual diameter opening 25B. The connector 32B is connectedto the connector 24B by passing the headed protrusion 33B through thelarger opening of the dual-diameter opening 25B, and then forcing ashaft of the headed protrusion 33B into the smaller opening of thedual-diameter opening 25B. When so connected, the shaft of the headedprotrusion 33B is trapped within the dual-diameter opening 25B, whichinhibits movement of the connector 24B relative to the connector 32B indirections perpendicular to the planes defined by the connectors 24B and32B but permits rotational movement of the connector 24B relative to theconnector 32B.

In the illustrated embodiment, another strap or web 38B is attached atone end to the bottom or end 74 of the pouch 70 at, near or toward theside 76. An opposite end of the web 38B is advanced through a slot 31Bdefined through another conventional connector 36B and is then attachedto the bottom or end 74 of the pouch 70 at, or near or toward the side76. In alternate embodiments, more or fewer lengths of web 38B may beconnected between the pouch 70 and the connector 36B, and the overalllength of the one or more lengths of web 38B may vary or be adjustabledepending upon the application. In any case, the connector 36B isconfigured to be releasably connected to the connector 28B. In theillustrated embodiment, for example, the connector 28B is provided inthe form of a planar member, e.g., triangular in shape, having adual-diameter opening 29B defined through the planar member, and theconnector 36B is likewise provided in the form of a planar member, e.g.,also triangular in shape, having a headed protrusion 37B extendingperpendicularly away from the plane defined by the connector 36B. Theheaded protrusions 37B and the dual-diameter opening 29B areillustratively sized and configured as described with respect to theconnectors 24B and 32B such that the connectors 28B and 36B can beconnected together, and movable relative to each other, as describedabove.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lengths of the two opposite ends ofthe web 22B can be separately adjusted via the web length adjusters 26Band 30B, as described hereinabove. Generally, a slight rearward tilt ofthe opening or mouth 72 from the bottom side 78 to the top side 76, asillustrated in FIG. 3, is desirable to facilitate storage and removal ofthe electronic device 80 within and from the pouch 70, and the angle ofthis tilt, relative to vertical, is set by selectively varying thelengths of the two opposite ends of the web 22B and 34B as justdescribed. In one embodiment, the lengths of the two opposite ends ofthe web 22B is adjusted to provide a rearward tilt angle ofapproximately 15-20 degrees from vertical, although other tilt angles,forward or rearward, or a vertical orientation of the opening 72 of thepouch 70, are alternatively achievable via suitable adjustment of thelengths of the two opposite ends of the web 22B. Moreover, any such tiltangles may alternatively be achieved using more or fewer webs/connectorsbetween the shoulder harness 20 and the electronic device support orstorage pouch 70.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1A and 3, the electronic devicesupport or storage pouch 70 defines an internal width, W_(P), whichextends between the sides 76 and 78, and an internal depth, D_(P), whichextends between the open end 72 and the closed end 74. The opening ormouth 72 of the pouch 70 defines an opening length, L_(O), which may ormay not be equal to the internal width, W_(D), of the pouch 70. Theelectronic device 80 defines a width, W_(D), and a length, L_(D). In oneembodiment, the length, L_(O), of the opening 72 and the width, W_(P),of the pouch 70 are illustratively sized to accommodate the width,W_(D), of the electronic device 80, e.g., L_(O) and W_(P) may be sizedslightly larger than the width W_(D), such that the electronic device 80can be received within the pouch 70 with the width, W_(D), of the device80 extending between the sides 76 and 78 inside of the pouch 70. Inother embodiments in which the electronic device 80 is carried by andwithin a carrying case, the length, L_(O), of the opening 72 and thewidth, W_(P), of the pouch 70 may be alternatively or additionally sizedto accommodate a combined width, W_(D), of the electronic device 80 andthe overall thickness added to the electronic device 80 by its carryingcase e.g., L_(O) and W_(P) may be sized slightly larger than thecombined width, W_(D), and the overall width of the carrying case of theelectronic device 80 such that the combination of the electronic device80 and its carrying case can be received within the pouch 70 with thecombined width, W_(D), of the electronic device 80 and that of itscarrying case extending between the sides 76 and 78 inside of the pouch70. In such embodiments, the carrying case may include one or moreclosure straps that extend at least partially about the carrying case,and the opening 72 and interior features of the pouch 70 may be sized toalso accommodate the one or more closure straps and/or may define one ormore channels therein which is/are sized to receive the one or moreclosure straps therein when the combination of the electronic device 80and its carrying case is received within the pouch 70. In oneembodiment, the opening 72 is biased to an open or partially openposition to facilitate receipt of the electronic device 80, or receiptof the combination of the electronic device 80 and carrying case, withinthe pouch 70, although other embodiments are contemplated in which theopening 72 is not biased to an open or partially open position.

In one embodiment, the internal depth, D_(P), of the pouch 70 is sizedto be shorter than the length, L_(D), of the electronic device 80 suchthat one end of the electronic device 80 extends outwardly away from theopening 72 of the pouch 70 when its opposite end is received within thepouch and in contact with the closed end 74 thereof. With the one end ofthe electronic device 80 extending outwardly away from the opening 72 asillustrated in FIG. 3, grasping of the electronic device 80 for storageand withdrawal of the electronic device within and from the pouch 70 isfacilitated.

In such embodiments, a closure strap 82 may be attached to the pouch 70at, near or adjacent to the opening 72. In one embodiment, the closurestrap 82 may be a single web or strap attached at one end to theexternal surface of the pouch 70 on one side of the opening 72, andhaving an opposite end to which a closure member 84 is mounted orattached. Another closure mechanism is, in this embodiment, mounted orattached to the external surface of the pouch 70 on an opposite side ofthe opening 72, and the two closure mechanisms are illustrativelyconfigured to releasably engage each other to thereby secure or lock theclosure strap 82 to the pouch 70. Other embodiments of the closure strap82 are contemplated, and an example of another such embodiment isillustrated in FIG. 3 in which one end of a first web or strap isattached at one end to the external surface of the pouch 70 and aclosure mechanism is mounted or attached to the opposite end of thefirst web or strap. One end of a second web or strap is attached at oneend to the external surface of the pouch 70 on an opposite side of theopening 72, and another closure mechanism is mounted or attached to theopposite end of the second web or strap. The closure mechanisms 84 areconfigured to releasably engage each other, as illustrated in FIG. 3, tothereby secure or lock the first and second webs or straps together. Inany embodiment of the closure strap 82, the strap 82 engages the exposedend of the electronic device 80 such that the electronic device 80 istrapped and held between the closure strap 82, the closed end 74 of thepouch and the two sides 76 and 78 of the pouch 70.

In alternate embodiments, the depth, D_(P), of the pouch 70 may be sizedto be equal to or greater than the length, L_(D), of the electronicdevice 80 such that the one end of the electronic device 80 iscoterminous with the opening 72 or extends past the opening 72 into theinterior of the pouch 80. In such embodiments, the closure strap 82 mayor may not be included. In such embodiments, the pouch 70 may include anadditional flap that extends over the opening 72 from one side of theopening 72 to the other, and in this embodiment a closure strap 82 orother closure mechanism may be included to secure the free end of theflap to the pouch 70. Alternatively, the pouch 70 may, in suchembodiments, include a conventional zipper attached to or within theopening 72.

In one embodiment, the pouch 70 is constructed of flexible orsemi-flexible material. The interior cavity of the electronic devicesupport pouch 70 is, in one embodiment, flexible. Alternatively, theinterior cavity of the electronic device support pouch 70 may be rigidor semi-rigid. In any case, the pouch 70 may further include a clip 86attached to the bottom side 78, e.g., via a web, strap or tether 88. Theclip 86 is illustratively configured to releasably engage at least oneportable structure, examples of which include, but are not limited to, awater bottle, one or one or more sets of keys, solution and/or fabricfor cleaning a screen of the electronic device 80, a flashlight and amechanical tool such as a wrench, screwdriver, pliers, or the like. Inalternate embodiments, the clip 86 may be omitted, and in otherembodiments a plurality of clips may be attached to the pouch 70 alongthe bottom or top and/or along either side thereof.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 80 is a conventional tabletcomputer, as this term is generally understood in the art. In otherembodiments, the electronic device 80 may be a so-called e-reader ore-book reader, as these terms are generally understood in the art. Instill other embodiments, the electronic device 80 may be a hand-heldelectronic device generally, further examples of which include, butshould not be limited to, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, apersonal data assistant (PDA), a wireless communication device forpersonal, medical or other use, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)device, or the like.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4, an accessory support orstorage unit 40 is attached to the portion 22A of the shoulder harness,e.g., via the connectors 24A, 28A, such that the support unit 40 extendsunder the right arm and along the right side 16A of the wearer 12adjacent to the waist 18 or between the waist 18 and the right shoulder14A of the wearer 12 as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 4. Theaccessory support or storage unit 40 is illustratively configured toremovably receive and store therein one or more accessory items. Forexample, the accessory support unit 40 illustratively defines one ormore straps, pockets and/or pouches sized and configured to removablyreceive and store therein one or more accessory items, wherein theaccessory items may, but need not, relate to the use, operation and/ormaintenance of the electronic device 80.

A number of connectors are attached to the accessory support or storageunit 40, each of which is configured to releasably connect to acorrespondingly configured connector attached to the shoulder harness20, e.g., to the portion 22A or the portion 22B of the shoulder harness20. While any number of connectors may be attached to the unit 40, theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4 has two such connectors attached tothe unit 40. In the illustrated embodiment, and as seen most clearly inFIGS. 1A, 2 and 4, for example, a strap or web 34A is attached at oneend to the top of the unit 40, i.e., the portion of the unit 40 closestto the shoulder 14A of the wearer 12, at, near or toward a front of theunit 40, i.e., the portion of the unit 40 that faces in the samedirection as the front of the wearer 12. An opposite end of the web 34Ais advanced through a slot 31A defined through a conventional connector32A and is then attached to the top of the unit 40. In alternateembodiments, more or fewer lengths of web 34A may be connected betweenthe unit 40 and the connector 32A, and the overall length of the one ormore lengths of web 34A may vary or be adjustable depending upon theapplication. In any case, the connector 32A is configured to bereleasably connected to the connector 24A. In the illustratedembodiment, for example, the connector 24A is provided in the form of aplanar member, e.g., triangular in shape, having a dual-diameter opening25A defined through the planar member, and the connector 32A is likewiseprovided in the form of a planar member, e.g., also triangular in shape,having a headed protrusion 33A extending perpendicularly away from theplane defined by the connector 32A. The headed protrusion 33A and thedual-diameter opening 25A are illustratively sized and configured asdescribed hereinabove with respect to the connectors 24B and 32B suchthat the connectors 24 and 32A can be connected together, and movablerelative to each other, as described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, another strap or web 38A is attached atone end to a rear of the unit 40, i.e., the portion of the unit 40 thatfaces in same direction as the backside of the wearer 12, at, near ortoward the top of the unit 40. An opposite end of the web 38A isadvanced through a slot 35A defined through another conventionalconnector 36A and is then attached to the rear of the unit 40 at, ornear or toward the top of the unit 40. In alternate embodiments, more orfewer lengths of web 38A may be connected between the unit 40 and theconnector 36A, and the overall length of the one or more lengths of web38A may vary or be adjustable depending upon the application. In anycase, the connector 36A is configured to be releasably connected to theconnector 28A. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the connector28A is provided in the form of a planar member, e.g., triangular inshape, having a dual-diameter opening 29A defined through the planarmember, and the connector 36A is likewise provided in the form of aplanar member, e.g., also triangular in shape, having a headedprotrusion 37A extending perpendicularly away from the plane defined bythe connector 36A. The headed protrusions 37A and the dual-diameteropening 29A are illustratively sized and configured as describedhereinabove with respect to the connectors 24B and 32B such that theconnectors 28A and 36A can be connected together, and movable relativeto each other, as described above.

In one illustrative embodiment, the connectors 24A, 28A, 24B and 28B areall identical, and the connectors 32A, 36A, 32B and 36B are alsoidentical such any connector 24A, 28A, 24B and 28B may releasably engageany correspondingly configured connector 32A, 36A, 32B and 66B. Inalternate embodiments, the connectors 24A, 32A, 24BA and 32B may bekeyed or color coded differently than the connectors 28A, 36A, 28B and36B to provide a visual indicator of the appropriate orientations of theelectronic device support pouch 70 and accessory support unit 40relative to the shoulder harness 20. In either such embodiment, theelectronic device support pouch 70 may accordingly be attached to theportion 22B of the shoulder harness 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4 ormay alternatively be attached to the portion 22A of the shoulder harness20 such that the electronic device support pouch extends under the rightarm and along the right side 16A of the wearer 12 adjacent to the waist18 or between the waist 18 and the right shoulder 14A of the wearer 12.Likewise, the accessory support unit 40 may be attached to the portion22A of the shoulder harness 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4, or mayalternatively be attached to the portion 22B of the shoulder harness 20such that the accessory support unit 40 extends under the left arm andalong the left side 16B of the wearer 12 adjacent to the waist 18 orbetween the waist 18 and the left shoulder 14B of the wearer 12. Instill other embodiments, each associated pair of the connectors 24A/32A,24B/32B, 28A/36A and 28B/36B may be keyed or color coded differentlythan the others to provide a visual indicator of the appropriateorientations and sides of the electronic device support pouch 70 andaccessory support unit 40 relative to the shoulder harness 20.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the accessory support unit40 is illustratively configured to removably receive and carryaccessories associated with an electronic device 80, such as a tabletcomputer. For example, the accessory support unit 40 illustrated inFIGS. 1A-2 and 4 defines two separate storage areas 42 and 50. Referringspecifically to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the storage area 42 illustrativelydefines an access opening 44 between a pair of opposing side panels 43and 45. A conventional zipper 46 is coupled to the opening 44 and may bemanipulated in a conventional manner to open and close the storage area42. As illustrated by the cutaway section A in FIG. 4, the storage area42 may define therein a number of straps 48A and 48B sized andconfigured to store writing instruments, e.g., pens or pencils, and/orone or more styluses. Illustratively, the storage area 42 is sized toreceive and store therein one or more of a connector cable for thetablet computer, a conventional Video Graphics Array (VGA) adapter forthe tablet computer, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) adapter for the tabletcomputer, a battery charging apparatus and a memory card and/or readersuch as a secure digital (SD) card and/or reader. Alternatively, thestorage area 42 may be sized to receive and store therein more or fewerand/or different accessories.

The accessory support unit 40 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4 further definesa storage area 50 configured to selectively store, for example, and ahand-held electronic device 56, examples of which include but should notbe limited to, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a personal dataassistant (PDA), a wireless communication device for personal, medicalor other use, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device, or the like.The storage area 50 illustratively defines an access opening 55 betweena pair of opposing side panels 51 and 53. A closure strap 52 is attachedat one end to the side panel 53, and a closure mechanism 54 is mountedadjacent to the opposite end of the closure strap 52. A corresponding,complementary closure mechanism (not shown) is mounted to the side panel51 so that the closure mechanism 54 can be secured to the side panel 51in a conventional manner. In one embodiment, the internal depth of thestorage area 50 is sized to be shorter than the length of the hand-heldelectronic device 56 such that one end of the hand-held electronicdevice 56 extends outwardly away from the opening 55 of the storage area50 when its opposite end is received within the storage area 50 asillustrated in FIG. 4. With the one end of the hand-held electronicdevice 56 extending outwardly away from the opening 55 as illustrated inFIG. 4, grasping of the hand-held electronic device 56 for storage andwithdrawal of the hand-held electronic device 56 within and from thestorage area 50 is facilitated. In such embodiments, the closure strap52 engages the exposed end of the hand-held electronic device 56 suchthat the hand-held electronic device 56 is trapped and held between theclosure strap 52 and the closed end of the storage area 50.

In alternate embodiments, the depth of the storage area 50 may be sizedto be equal to or greater than the length of the hand-held electronicdevice 56 such that the one end of the hand-held electronic device 56 iscoterminous with the opening 55 or extends past the opening 55 into theinterior of the storage area 50. In such embodiments, the closure strap52 may or may not be included. In such embodiments, the storage area 50may include an additional flap that extends over the opening 55 from oneside of the opening 55 to the other, and in this embodiment a closurestrap 52 or other closure mechanism may be included to secure the freeend of the flap to the storage area 50. Alternatively, the storage area50 may, in such embodiments, include a conventional zipper attached toor within the opening 55.

In one embodiment, the storage areas 42 and 50 are constructed offlexible or semi-flexible material. In one example of such anembodiment, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 4, the sidepanel 43 of the storage area 42 and the side panel 51 of the storagearea 50 may be of unitary construction, and the side panel 45 of thestorage area 42 and the side panel 53 of the storage area 50 maylikewise be of unitary construction, and the storage areas 42 and 50 maybe separated by attaching the two opposing, unitary side panels togetherat a point 57 between the two storage areas 42 and 50 as most clearlyshown in FIG. 1A. In alternative embodiments, the storage area 42 and/orthe storage area 50 may be constructed of rigid or semi-rigid materials.In any case, the accessory support or storage unit 40 may furtherinclude a clip 58 attached to and along a bottom portion of the unit 40,i.e., the portion of the unit 40 that faces downwardly when worn by thewearer 12, e.g., via a web, strap or tether 59. The clip 58 isillustratively configured to releasably engage at least one portablestructure, examples of which include, but are not limited to, a waterbottle, one or one or more sets of keys, solution and/or fabric forcleaning a screen of the electronic device 80 and/or a screen of thehand-held electronic device 56, a flashlight and a mechanical tool suchas a wrench, screwdriver, pliers, or the like. In alternate embodiments,the clip 58 may be omitted, and in other embodiments a plurality ofclips may be attached to the unit 40 along the bottom or top and/oralong either side thereof. In other alternative embodiments, one or morestraps may be attached to the bottom of the unit 40, which strap(s) maybe configured to engage the wearer's clothing or clothing accessory,e.g., a belt loop or belt worn by the wearer 12, and to attach, e.g.,via conventional hook and loop fabrics, to itself or to the unit 40. Insuch embodiments, the strap(s) may be included to anchor and secure theunit 40 to the wearer 12 via the wearer's clothing and/or clothingaccessory.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the accessory support unit40 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4 and described hereinabove represents onlyone illustrative configuration of the accessory support unit 40, andthat the accessory support unit 40 may be configured to receive andcarry more, fewer and/or different accessories. Examples of otheraccessories which the accessory support unit 40 may be configured toreceive and carry include, but should not be limited to, one or moretablets or notebooks of paper or other writing, drawing or paintingmedia, one or more additional hand-held electronic devices such as acellular telephone, a smart phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), awireless communication device for personal, medical or other use, anaudio storage and playback device, a calculators, a Global PositioningSatellite (GPS) device, a camera, a video recorder, a hand-held medicaldevice or the like, one or more flashlights, one or more cameraaccessories such as one or more camera lenses, one or more flash packs,one or more camera batteries and one or more data storage devices, oneor more rolls of coins, one or more dry cell batteries, one or moremedical accessories such as a stethoscope, a thermometer, an ear, noseand throat illumination device, tissue paper, one or more sets ofsterile gloves, or the like.

One independent purpose of the accessory support unit 40 may be toreceive and carry one or more accessories associated with the electronicdevice 80, and in this regard the accessory support unit 40 may beconfigured to receive and carry any one or combination of theaccessories described hereinabove. Another independent purpose of theaccessory support unit 40 may be to receive and carry one or moreaccessories that are not associated with the electronic device 80 butthat are used or usable by the wearer 12, and in this regard theaccessory support unit 40 may be configured to receive and carry any oneor combination of such accessories that are not associated with theelectronic device 80, either to the exclusion of or in addition to theone or combination of accessories associated with the electronic device80. Yet another independent purpose of the accessory support unit 40 maybe to receive and carry one or more weights that match, at leastapproximately, the weight of the electronic device 80 in order toprovide a counterbalance of comparable weight on each side of the wearer12, and in this regard the one or more weights may be provided, forexample, in the form of one or more dry cell batteries, rolls of coinsor other weights, and/or any one or combination of accessories that areand/or are not associated with the electronic device 80 that may bespecifically selected to provide an appropriate counterweight for theelectronic device 80.

In one embodiment, the shoulder harness 20, the electronic devicesupport pouch 70 and the accessory support unit 40 are constructed of awashable material, although embodiments are contemplated in which theharness 20, pouch 70 and/or accessory support unit 40 are constructed ofnon-washable materials. Examples of materials which the shoulder harness20, the electronic device support pouch 70 and the accessory supportunit 40 may be constructed include, but should not be limited to, coatedor uncoated polyester fabric, canvas, nylon, leather, polypropylene, oneor more other fabrics, one or more waterproof materials, recycledmaterials, plastic materials, and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 front, rear, left and right elevational viewsof another illustrative embodiment of a body-worn apparatus 10′ forcarrying an electronic device 80 are shown being worn and supported by amodel of a human 12 (“the wearer”). Some of the items illustrated inFIGS. 5-8 are identical to those illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4, and unlessotherwise indicated, like numbers are used in FIGS. 5-8 to identify suchlike components of FIGS. 1A-4. In the illustrated embodiment, theapparatus 10 includes a shoulder harness 20′ that is sized andconfigured to be worn on and supported by the shoulders 14A and 14B ofthe wearer 12. The shoulder harness 20′ illustratively includes ashoulder support portion 21A that is sized and configured to be worn onand supported by a right shoulder 14A of the wearer 12, and anothershoulder support portion 21B that is sized and configured to be worn onand supported by a left shoulder 14B of the wearer 12. In theillustrated embodiment, the portions 21A and 21B are mirror images ofeach other, although this disclosure contemplates embodiments in whichthe portions 21A and 21B are sized and/or configured differently fromeach other. Referring specifically to FIG. 6, the portions 21A and 21Bof the shoulder harness 20′ are illustratively separate from each otherand are joined via an attachment member 21C, e.g., a ring or othersuitable retaining member, coupled to one strap 21D that is attached tothe shoulder harness portion 21B and coupled to another strap 21E thatis attached to the shoulder harness portion 21A. However, thisdisclosure contemplates embodiments in which the portions 21A and 21B ofthe shoulder harness 20′ are not separate from each other, but rathertogether form a single, unitary structure.

In the illustrated embodiment, a number of connectors are attached tothe shoulder harness 20′ which are each configured to releasably connectto a correspondingly configured connector attached to another structure,e.g., to a pouch 70′ or accessory support unit 40′. While any number ofconnectors may be attached to the shoulder harness 20′, the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 5-8 has two such connectors attached to eachportion 21A and 21B of the shoulder harness 20′. As seen most clearly inFIGS. 5-6 and 8, for example, a strap or web 22A′ is attached at one endto the front of one portion 21A of the shoulder harness 20′. An oppositeend of the web 22A′ is advanced through a conventional connector 24A′and then through a conventional web length adjusting device 26A′. Thelength of the web 22A′ between the shoulder support portion 21A of theshoulder harness 20′ and the connector 24A′ can be adjusted in aconventional manner by advancing more or less of the web 22A′ throughthe web length adjusting device 26A′. Another strap or web 22C isattached at one end to the rear of the shoulder support portion 21A ofthe shoulder harness 20′. An opposite end of the web 22C is advancedthrough another conventional connector 28A′ and then through anotherconventional web length adjusting device 30A′. The length of the web 22Cbetween the shoulder support portion 21A of the shoulder harness 20′ andthe connector 28A′ can be adjusted in a conventional manner by advancingmore or less of the web 22C through the web length adjusting device30A′. While two such connectors 24A′, 28A′ are shown connected via webs22A′, 22C respectively to the shoulder support portion 21A of theshoulder harness 20′ in FIGS. 5-8, it will be understood that more orfewer such connectors/webs can be connected or attached to the shouldersupport portion 21A of the shoulder harness 20′, and/or any number ofconnectors/webs can be formed integral with the shoulder support portion21A of the shoulder harness 20′ such that at least the number of websand the shoulder support portion 21A of the shoulder harness 20′together form a single, unitary structure.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 5-7, another strap or web 22B′ is attachedat one end to the front of the 22B′ is advanced through anotherconventional connector 24B′ and then through another conventional weblength adjusting device 26B′. The length of the web 22B′ between theshoulder support portion 21B of the shoulder harness 20′ and theconnector 24B′ can be adjusted in a conventional manner by advancingmore or less of the web 22B′ through the web length adjusting device26B′. Another strap or web 22D is attached at one end to the rear of theshoulder support portion 21B of the shoulder harness 20′. An oppositeend of the web 22D is advanced through another conventional connector28B′ and then through another conventional web length adjusting device30B′. The length of the web 22D between the shoulder support portion 21Bof the shoulder harness 20′ and the connector 28B′ can be adjusted in aconventional manner by advancing more or less of the web 22C through theweb length adjusting device 30B′. While two such connectors 24B′, 28B′are shown connected via webs 22B′, 322D respectively to the shouldersupport portion 21B of the shoulder harness 20′ in FIGS. 5-8, it will beunderstood that more or fewer such connectors/webs can be connected orattached to the shoulder support portion 21B of the shoulder harness20′, and/or any number of connectors/webs can be formed integral withthe shoulder support portion 21B of the shoulder harness 20′ such thatat least the number of webs and the shoulder support portion 21B of theshoulder harness 20′ together form a single, unitary structure.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, another embodiment of anelectronic device support pouch 70′ is attached to the shoulder supportportion 21B of the shoulder harness, e.g., via the connectors 24B′,28B′, such that the pouch 70′ extends under the left arm and along theleft side 16B of the wearer 12 adjacent to the waist 18 or between thewaist 18 and the left shoulder 14B of the wearer 12. The pouch 70′ isgenerally as illustrated and described with respect to the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1A-4 as it relates to the receipt, storage and removal ofan electronic device 80. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, theclosure strap 82 and closure mechanism 8 are as described with respectto FIGS. 1A-4, but in FIG. 7 an example of an alternate closure strap82′ is shown having one end attached to one side of the pouch 70′. Oneend of another closure strap 83 is attached to the opposite side of thepouch 70′, and a conventional closure mechanism 84′, e.g., aconventional hook and loop fabric arrangement, is provided at the freeends of the closure straps 82′ and 83.

A number of connectors are attached to the electronic device supportpouch 70′, each of which is configured to releasably connect to acorrespondingly configured connector attached to the shoulder harness20′, e.g., to the shoulder support portion 21A or the shoulder supportportion 21B. While any number of connectors may be attached to the pouch70′, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 has two such connectorsattached to the pouch 70′. In the illustrated embodiment, and as seenmost clearly in FIGS. 5-7, for example, a strap or web 34B′ is attachedat one end to the top side, i.e., that facing upward toward the shoulder14B of the wearer 12 when the apparatus 10′ is worn by the wearer 12, ofthe pouch 70′ at, near or toward its opening. An opposite end of the web34B′ is advanced through a conventional connector 32B′ and is thenattached to the top side of the pouch 70′. In alternate embodiments,more or fewer lengths of web 34B′ may be connected between the pouch 70′and the connector 32B′, and the overall length of the one or morelengths of web 34B′ may vary and/or be adjustable depending upon theapplication. In any case, the connector 32B′ is conventionallyconfigured to be releasably connected to the connector 24B′, andillustratively defines a pair of opposing channels through whichcorrespondingly opposed connecting fingers of the connector 24B′ extendwhen the connector 24B′ is secured and locked to the connector 32B′.

Another strap or web 38B′ is attached at one end to the top side of thepouch 70′ at, near or toward its rear end, i.e., that facing the samedirection as the rear of the wearer 12. An opposite end of the web 38B′is advanced through another conventional connector 36B′ and is thenattached to the top side of the pouch 70′. In alternate embodiments,more or fewer lengths of web 38B′ may be connected between the pouch 70′and the connector 36B′, and the overall length of the one or morelengths of web 38B′ may vary depending upon the application. In anycase, the connector 36B′ is conventional and is configured to bereleasably connected to the connector 28B′. The connector 36B′illustratively defines a pair of opposing channels through whichcorrespondingly opposed connecting fingers defined by the connector 28B′extend when the connector 28B′ is secured and locked to the connector36B′. While two such connectors 28B′, 36B′ are shown connected via webs34B′, 38B′ respectively to the electronic device support pouch 70′ inFIGS. 5-8, it will be understood that more or fewer such connectors/webscan be connected or attached to the pouch 70′, and/or any number ofconnectors/webs can be formed integral with the pouch 70′ such that atleast the number of webs and the pouch 70′ together form a single,unitary structure.

In the illustrated embodiment in which two webs and connectors 24B′,32B′ and 28B′, 36B′ extend from the shoulder support portion 21B of theshoulder harness 20′ and the connectors 24B′, 28B′ are connected to theconnectors 32B′, 36B′ respectively extending from the electronic devicesupport pouch 70′, the lengths of the webs 22B′, 22D can be separatelyadjusted via the web length adjusters 26B′ and 30B′ to set the tiltangle of the pouch 70′ relative to vertical as described hereinabovewith respect to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4. Alternatively,such a tilt angle may alternatively be achieved using more or fewerwebs/connectors between the shoulder support portion 21B of the shoulderharness 20′ and the electronic device support pouch 70′.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, another embodiment of anaccessory support or storage unit 40′ is attached to the shouldersupport portion 21A′ of the shoulder harness 20′, e.g., via theconnectors 24A′, 28A′, such that the support unit 40′ extends under theright arm and along the right side 16A of the wearer 12 adjacent to thewaist 18 or between the waist 18 and the right shoulder 14A of thewearer 12 as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 8. The accessory supportunit 40′ is illustratively configured to removably receive and storetherein one or more accessory items. A number of connectors are attachedto the accessory support unit 40′, each of which is configured toreleasably connect to a correspondingly configured connector attached tothe shoulder harness 20′, e.g., to the shoulder support portion 21A orthe shoulder support portion 21B. While any number of connectors may beattached to the accessory support unit 40′, the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 5-8 has two such connectors attached to the accessory supportunit 40′.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as seen most clearly in FIGS. 5-7, astrap or web 34A′ is attached at one end to a top of the accessorysupport unit 40′ at or near a front side thereof. An opposite end of theweb 34A′ is advanced through a conventional connector 32A′ and is thenattached to the accessory support unit 40′. In alternate embodiments,more or fewer lengths of web 34A′ may be connected between the accessorysupport unit 40′ and the connector 34A′, and the overall length of theone or more lengths of web 34A′ may vary or be adjustable depending uponthe application. In any case, the connector 32A′ is conventional and isconfigured to be releasably connected to the connector 24A′.Illustratively, the connector 32A′ defines a pair of opposing channelsthrough which correspondingly opposed connecting fingers defined by theconnector 24A′ extend when the connector 24A′ is secured and locked tothe connector 32A′.

Another strap or web 38A′ is attached to the top of the accessorysupport unit 40′ at or near a rear side thereof. An opposite end of theweb 38A′ is advanced through another conventional connector 36A′ and isthen attached to the accessory support unit 40′. In alternateembodiments, more or fewer lengths of web 38A′ may be connected betweenthe accessory support unit 40′ and the connector 36A′, and the overalllength of the one or more lengths of web 38A′ may vary or be adjustabledepending upon the application. In any case, the connector 36A′ isconventional and is configured to be releasably connected to theconnector 28A′. Illustratively, the connector 36A′ defines a pair ofopposing channels through which correspondingly opposed connectingfingers defined by the connector 28A′ extend when the connector 28A′ issecured and locked to the connector 36A′. While two such connectors32A′, 36A′ are shown connected via webs 34A′, 38A′ respectively to theaccessory support unit 40′ in FIGS. 5-7, it will be understood that moreor fewer such connectors/webs can be connected or attached to theaccessory support unit 40′, and/or any number of connectors/webs can beformed integral with the accessory support unit 40′ such that at leastthe number of webs and the accessory support unit 40′ together form asingle, unitary structure.

In one illustrative embodiment, the connectors 24A′, 24B′, 28A′ and 28B′are all identical, and the connectors 32A′, 32B′, 36A′ and 36B′ are alsoidentical such any connector 24A′, 24B′, 28A′ and 28B′ may releasablyengage any correspondingly configured connector 32A′, 32B′, 36A′ and36B′. In alternate embodiments, the connectors 24A′, 32A′, 28A′ and 36A′may be keyed or color coded differently than the connectors 24B′, 32B′,28B′ and 36B′ to provide a visual indicator of the appropriateorientations of the electronic device support pouch 70′ and accessorysupport unit 40′ relative to the shoulder harness 20′. In either suchembodiment, the electronic device support pouch 70′ may accordingly beattached to the shoulder support portion 21B of the shoulder harness 20′as illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 or may alternatively be attached to theshoulder support portion 21A of the shoulder harness 20′ such that theelectronic device support pouch 70′ extends under the right arm andalong the right side 16A of the wearer 12 adjacent to the waist 18 orbetween the waist 18 and the right shoulder 14A of the wearer 12.Likewise, the accessory support unit 40′ may be attached to the shouldersupport portion 21A of the shoulder harness 20′ as illustrated in FIGS.5-8, or may alternatively be attached to the shoulder support portion21B of the shoulder harness 20′ such that the accessory support unit 40′extends under the left arm and along the left side 16B of the wearer 12adjacent to the waist 18 or between the waist 18 and the left shoulder14B of the wearer 12. In still other embodiments, each associated pairof the connectors 24A′/32A′, 28A′/36A′, 24B′/32B′ and 28B′/36B′ may bekeyed or color coded differently than the others to provide a visualindicator of the appropriate orientations and sides of the electronicdevice support pouch 70′ and accessory support unit 40′ relative to theshoulder harness 20′.

Further details relating to the structure and function of the shoulderharness 20′, the connectors/webs and the electronic device support pouch70′ are the same as illustrated and described hereinabove with respectto FIGS. 1A-4 and will not be repeated here for brevity. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the accessory support or storageunit 40′ is illustratively configured to receive and carry a number ofmedical accessories and/or accessories used or usable by a medicalperson wearing the apparatus 10′. Referring to FIG. 8, for example, theillustrated accessory support unit 40′ includes a first pouch 102defining an open end 104. Illustratively, the pouch 102 is sized andconfigured to receive and carry therein one or more elongated objectssuch as one or more thermometers, ear, nose and throat illuminationdevices, pens, pencils, or the like. The illustrated accessory supportpouch 40′ further includes a second pouch 106 defining an open end 108.Illustratively, the pouch 106 is sized and configured to receive andcarry therein one or more medical instruments and/or accessories used orusable by medical personnel. Examples of medical instruments for whichthe pouch 106 may be configured to receive and carry include, but arenot limited to, one or more stethoscopes, one or more thermometers, oneor more ear, nose and throat illumination devices, or the like. Examplesof other accessories used or usable by medical personnel for which thepouch 106 may be configured to receive and carry include, but should notbe limited to, one or more sets of sterile gloves, tissue paper, one ormore hospital-specific cellular or wi-fi enabled telephones or otherelectronic communication devices, one or more writing tablets, notebooksand/or clip boards, one or more charts, folders or other patient recordfiles, one or more writing utensils, or the like. Illustratively, theshoulder harness 20′, the electronic device support pouch 70′ and theaccessory support unit 40′ are constructed of a washable material,although other materials may alternatively or additionally be used asdescribed hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 1A-4.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, front, rear, left and right elevationalviews of yet another illustrative embodiment of a body-worn apparatus10″ for carrying an electronic device 80 are shown being worn andsupported by a model of a human 12 (“the wearer”). The embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 9-12 is intended to be an inexpensivelyconstructed, perhaps disposable, embodiment in which the shouldersupport portion 21B′ of the shoulder harness 20″ is non-detachablycoupled directly to the electronic device pouch 70″ via non-adjustablestraps 120A, 120B, and the shoulder support portion 21B′ of the shoulderharness 20″ is non-detachably coupled directly to the accessory supportunit 40″ via non-adjustable straps 110A and 110B. Referring specificallyto FIG. 10, one strap 21D′ is attached to the shoulder support portion21B′ of the shoulder harness 20″, and another strap 21E′ is attached tothe other shoulder support portion 21A′ of the shoulder harness 20″ ator near the tops of the backsides of the shoulder support portions 21A′,21B′, and the straps 21D′ and 21E′ are each provided with a suitablecomplementary attachment mechanism 21C′, e.g., hook and loop fabric, forsecuring the strap 21D′ to the strap 21E′.

Referring to FIG. 11, the electronic device pouch 70″ is illustrativelysized to receive and carry the electronic device 80, but not exclusivelythe electronic device 80. In the illustrated embodiment, the devicepouch 70″ is illustratively provided with sufficient size and room toalternatively or additionally receive and carry other items such as aclip board, one or more files, one or more tablets of paper or otherwriting material, or the like. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11,the pouch 70″ is shown with yet another example of a closure strap 82″having one end attached to one side of the pouch 70′ and an oppositefree end. The free end of the closure strap 82″ and the opposite side ofthe pouch 70″ illustratively include or have attached thereto aconventional closure mechanism 84″, e.g., a conventional hook and loopfabric arrangement, such that the free end of the closure strap 82″ canbe attached to the side of the pouch 70″. It will be understood that anyone or more of the closure strap/closure mechanism embodimentsillustrated and described herein may be used in addition to, or to theexclusion of others of the disclosed closure strap/closure mechanismembodiments, with any of the embodiments of the pouch 70, 70′, 70″and/or the storage area 50 (or 162 illustrated in FIG. 16A) illustratedand described herein.

Referring to FIG. 12, the accessory support unit 40″ is illustrativelyconfigured to receive and carry a number of accessories used or usableby a person wearing the apparatus 10″. For example, the accessorysupport unit 40″ includes a first pouch 130 defining an open end 132.Illustratively, the pouch 130 is sized and configured to receive andcarry therein one or more hand-held objects 134 such as cellulartelephone, a smart phone or other electronic communication device, oneor more check books, one or more tablets of notebooks of paper or otherwriting material or the like. The illustrated accessory support pouch40″ further includes a second pouch 140 defining an open end 142.Illustratively, the pouch 142 is sized and configured to receive andcarry therein one or more objects such as a radio, e.g., a trunk networkradio, or other electronic communication device. The illustratedaccessory support pouch 40″ further includes a third pouch 150 definingan open end 152. Illustratively, the pouch 152 is sized and configuredto receive and carry therein one or more elongated objects 154 such asone or more pens, pencils, or the like. Illustratively, the shoulderharness 20″, the electronic device support or storage pouch 70″ and theaccessory support or storage unit 40″ are all constructed of adisposable and/or recyclable material, although other materials mayalternatively or additionally be used as described hereinabove withrespect to FIGS. 1A-8.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-16B, front, rear, left and right elevationalviews, and a magnified view, of still another illustrative embodiment ofa body-worn apparatus 10′″ for carrying an electronic device 80 areshown being worn and supported by a model of a human 12 (“the wearer”).The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13-16B is identical to thatillustrated in FIGS. 1A-4, except in the configuration of the accessorysupport or storage unit 40′″ and also in the manner in which theshoulder harness 20′″ is attached to the electronic device support orstorage pouch 70 and to the accessory support or storage unit 40′″. Inall other respects, the structure and function of the apparatus 10′″ isas described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 1A-4.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13-16A, the shoulder webs 22A″and 22B″ of the shoulder harness 20′″ are attached directly to theaccessory support or storage unit 40′″ and the electronic device supportor storage unit 70 respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, each ofthe webs 22A″ and 22B″ includes a pair (front and back) of web lengthadjusting devices 26A, 30A and 26B, 30B respectively, and in thisembodiment the two ends of the web 22A″ illustratively pass through apair of slots, gaps or other openings defined by the accessory supportor storage unit 40′″ before being attached to the web length adjusters26A and 30A, and the two ends of the web 22B″ likewise pass through apair of slots, gaps or other openings defined by the electronic devicesupport or storage unit 70 before being attached to the web lengthadjusters 26B and 30B. In one alternative embodiment, the web lengthadjusters 26A, 30A and/or the web length adjusters 26B, 30B may beomitted, in which case the free ends of the web 22A″ and/or the freeends of the web 22B″ may be attached directly to the unit 40″ or pouch70 respectively. In other alternative embodiments, the web 22A″ and/orthe web 22B″, and the unit 40″ and/or the pouch 70, may includesdetachable connectors of the type illustrated and described hereinabovewith respect to FIGS. 1A-4, and/or of the type illustrated and describedhereinabove with respect to FIGS. 5-8 and/or other suitable,conventional connectors.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13-16B, the accessory support orstorage unit 40′″ illustratively includes a panel 160 carrying twoseparate storage areas 162 and 170. The storage area 162 isillustratively identical in dimensions and function to the storage area50 illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 1A-4 in that thestorage area 162 is configured to selectively store, for example, ahand-held electronic device 56, examples of which include but should notbe limited to, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a personal dataassistant (PDA), a wireless communication device for personal, medicalor other use, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device, or the like.The storage area 162, like the storage area 50, illustratively definesan access opening and a closure strap 164. The closure strap isillustratively attached at one end to the panel 160, and a conventionalclosure mechanism 166 is mounted adjacent to the opposite end of theclosure strap 164. A corresponding, complementary closure mechanism (notshown) is mounted to the side of the storage area 162 so that theclosure mechanism 166 can be secured to the side of the storage area 162in a conventional manner.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the storage area 170illustratively defines a storage compartment 174 between the panel 160and a front flap 175. Within the storage compartment 174, a number ofsecuring straps 176, 178 and 180 are attached to the panel 160. Thesecuring straps 176, 178, 180 are illustratively sized and configured toreceive and store therein accessories such as one or more batteries,battery packs and/or battery charging devices for the device 80, one ormore conventional Video Graphics Array (VGA) adapters for the device 80,one or more Universal Serial Bus (USB) adapters for the device 80, oneor more memory cards and/or readers for the device 80, or the like.Alternatively, the securing straps 176, 178, 180 may be sized andconfigured to receive and store therein other accessories that may ormay not be related to the electronic device 80. In any case the flap 175has attached thereto a conventional closure mechanism 172. Acorresponding, complementary closure mechanism (not shown) is mounted tothe side of the storage area 170 so that the closure mechanism 172, andtherefore the flap 175, can be secured to the side of the storage area170 in a conventional manner.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-18, front perspective and left sideelevational views of still another illustrative embodiment of abody-worn apparatus 200 for carrying an electronic device 80 are shownbeing worn and supported by a model of a human 12 (“the wearer”). In theillustrated embodiment, an electronic device support pouch 202 isattached to opposite ends of a shoulder strap 204 that is configured tobe supported by a shoulder 14A (or 14B) of the wearer 12. One end of theshoulder strap 204 is attached to, or integral with, a top of the pouch202 at or near one side thereof, and the opposite end of the shoulderstrap 204 is illustratively attached to one end of a conventionalconnector. One end of another web is attached to, or integral with, thetop of the pouch 202 at or near an opposite side thereof, and theopposite end of the web is attached to a complementarily configuredconnector, such that the two connectors may be releasably connectedtogether. In one embodiment, the connectors may be as illustrated anddescribed hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 5-8, e.g., a connector pairsuch as 24A′, 32A′. Alternatively, the connectors may be as illustratedand described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 1A-4, e.g., a connectorpair such as 24A, 32A, or may alternatively still be omitted from theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17-18. In any case, a shoulder pad 206illustratively forms part of, or is coupled to, the shoulder strap 204,and the shoulder pad 206 may be fixed in place relative to the shoulderstrap 204 or may be movable relative to the shoulder strap 204. Inalternative embodiments, the shoulder pad 206 may be omitted. Theshoulder strap 204 may further include a conventional web-lengthadjusting device, e.g., such as 26A illustrated in FIG. 1A, for thepurpose of adjusting the length of the shoulder strap 204. In any case,the illustrated configuration of the apparatus 200 may be worn on theright shoulder 14A such that the pouch 202 extends downwardly along theleft side of the wearer at, below or above the waist 18 of the wearer12, or may alternatively be worn on the right shoulder 14B such that thepouch 202 extends downwardly along the left side of the wearer at, belowor above the waist 18 of the wearer 12.

The electronic device support pouch 202 is configured to removablyreceive the electronic device 80 therein. In the illustrated embodiment,the pouch 202 defines an open end 212 with closed sides and a closedbottom end opposite the open end 212. A flap 214 is attached at one endto, or is integral with, the pouch 202 adjacent to the open end 212. Anopposite free end of the flap 214 is sized to extend from one side ofthe pouch 202, e.g., the back side, over the open end 212 and intocontact with the opposite side, e.g., the front side, of the pouch 202.A conventional closure mechanism 216 is attached to the flap 214 at ornear its free end, and the closure mechanism 216 is configured toselectively secure the flap 214 to the electronic device support pouch202. In one embodiment, for example, a complementarily configuredclosure mechanism is mounted to the front side of the pouch 202 suchthat the closure mechanism 216 may releasably engage the closuremechanisms mounted to the pouch 202 to thereby secure the flap 214 tothe pouch 202. A loop 218 or comparable structure may be attached to theflap 214 to provide a structure for supporting the apparatus 200 on ahook or similar protrusion.

The interior of the electronic device support pouch 202 defines a width,W_(SP), between the opposing closed sides and a depth, D_(SP), betweenthe closed end and the open end 212. Illustratively, the width, W_(SP),is sized to receive the electronic device 80 with or without a carryingcase as described in detail hereinabove with respect to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1A-4. The depth, D_(SP), is illustratively sizedsuch that a portion of one end of the electronic device 80 extendsupwardly away from the open end 212 to facilitate grasping of theelectronic device 80 as also described in detail hereinabove withrespect to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-4. The closuremechanism 216 is illustratively positioned relative to the pouch 202such that the flap 214 extends over and in contact with the exposed endof the electronic device 80 when the electronic device 80 is receivedwithin the electronic device storage pouch 202 and the opposite end ofthe electronic device 80 is in contact with the closed end of the pouchopposite the open end 212. The electronic device support pouch 202 mayhave one or more of the properties of the electronic device supportpouch 70 illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 1A-4. Forexample, the opening 212 of the pouch 202 may or may not be biased to atleast a partially open position. As another example, the apparatus 200may be constructed from one or more of the materials describedhereinabove. As with the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A-16B, theelectronic device 80 may be a tablet computer, an e-reader or e-bookreader, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a personal data assistant(FDA), a wireless communication device for personal, medical or otheruse, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device, or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, front perspective and right sideelevational views of still another illustrative embodiment of abody-worn apparatus 200′ for carrying an electronic device 80 are shownbeing worn and supported by a model of a human 12 (“the wearer”). In theillustrated embodiment, an electronic device support pouch 202′ isattached to opposite ends of a shoulder strap 204 that is configured tobe supported by a shoulder 14B (or 14A) of the wearer 12. One end of theshoulder strap 204 is attached to, or integral with, a top of the pouch202′ at or near one side thereof, and the opposite end of the shoulderstrap 204 is attached to, or integral with, the top of the pouch 202′ ator near an opposite side thereof. In alternate embodiments, the shoulderstrap 204 may include a connector and/or a web-length adjusting deviceas described hereinabove. In any case, the illustrated configuration ofthe apparatus 200′ may be worn on the left shoulder 14B such that thepouch 202′ extends downwardly along the right side of the wearer at,below or above the waist 18 of the wearer 12, or may alternatively beworn on the left shoulder 14A such that the pouch 202′ extendsdownwardly along the right side of the wearer at, below or above thewaist 18 of the wearer 12.

The electronic device support pouch 202′ is configured to removablyreceive the electronic device 80 therein. In the illustrated embodiment,the pouch 202′ defines an open end 212′ with closed sides and a closedbottom end opposite the open end 212′. A flap 214′ is attached via ahinge 222, 224, e.g., a fabric hinge, at one end of the pouch 202′adjacent to the open end 212′. An opposite free end of the flap 214′ issized to extend from one side of the top of the pouch 202′to the bottomof the pouch 202′, and to pivot relative to the top of the pouch 202′via the hinge 222, 224. A conventional closure mechanism 216′ isattached to the flap 214′ at or near its free end, and the closuremechanism 216′ is configured to selectively secure the flap 214′ to theelectronic device support pouch 202′. In one embodiment, for example, acomplementarily configured closure mechanism 226 is mounted to the frontside of the pouch 202′ such that the closure mechanism 216′ mayreleasably engage the closure mechanism 226 to thereby secure the flap214′ to the pouch 202′. A loop 218 or comparable structure may beattached to the hinge 224 to provide a structure for supporting theapparatus 200′ on a hook or similar protrusion.

A front panel 220 of the pouch 202′ illustratively extends inwardly fromthe sides and bottom toward a center of the pouch 202′, but defines anopening sized to provide viewing access to the display of the electronicdevice 80. In one embodiment, this opening is not covered, although inother embodiments a conventional transparent material, e.g., flexiblepolymer or other transparent material, may be affixed to the front panel220 at least partially about the perimeter of the opening defined by thefront panel 220. Such transparent material may be selected to allowtouch-screen control of the display of the electronic device 80.Alternatively or additionally, the front panel 220 may include a loop orstrap 208 sized and configured to receive and store therein aconventional stylus, pen or pencil. The interior dimensions of the pouch202′ are illustratively sized to receive and securely hold therein theelectronic device 80 such that the electronic device 80 may be accessedby pivoting the flap 214′ upwardly, and operated without removing thedevice 80 from the pouch 202′. The electronic device support pouch 202′may have one or more of the properties of the electronic device supportpouch 70 illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 1A-4. Forexample, the opening 212 of the pouch 202′ may or may not be biased toat least a partially open position. As another example, the apparatus200′ may be constructed from one or more of the materials describedhereinabove. As with the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A-16B, theelectronic device 80 may be a tablet computer, an e-reader or e-bookreader, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, a personal data assistant(PDA), a wireless communication device for personal, medical or otheruse, a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) device, or the like.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in theforegoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described andthat all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected.

1. A body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronic device, theapparatus comprising: a shoulder harness having interconnected first andsecond portions configured to be supported by first and second shouldersrespectively of a wearer, an electronic device support pouch attached tothe first portion of the shoulder harness, the electronic device supportpouch extending under one arm and along one side of the wearer when theshoulder harness is worn by the wearer, the electronic device supportpouch configured to removably receive the electronic device therein, andan accessory support unit attached to the second portion of the shoulderharness, the accessory support unit extending under an opposite arm andalong an opposite side of the wearer when the shoulder harness is wornby the wearer, the accessory support unit configured to removablyreceive one or more accessory items therein.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the electronic device support pouch is releasably attached tothe first portion of the shoulder harness and the accessory support unitis releasably attached to the second portion of the shoulder harness. 3.The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the electronic device support pouch andthe accessory support unit are both releasably attachable to either ofthe first and second portions of the shoulder harness, and wherein theaccessory support unit is releasably attached to the second portion ofthe shoulder harness when the electronic device support pouch isreleasably attached to the first portion of the shoulder harness suchthat the electronic device support pouch is carried by the shoulderharness along the one side of the wearer and the accessory support unitis carried by the shoulder harness along the opposite side of thewearer, and wherein the accessory support unit is releasably attached tothe first portion of the shoulder harness when the electronic devicesupport pouch is releasably attached to the second portion of theshoulder harness such that the accessory support unit is carried by theshoulder harness along the one side of the wearer and the electronicdevice support pouch is carried by the shoulder harness along theopposite side of the wearer.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 furthercomprising: a first connector connected to the first portion of theshoulder harness and extending downwardly away from the first portion, asecond connector connected to the second portion of the shoulder harnessand extending downwardly away from the second portion, a third connectorattached to the electronic device support pouch and configured toreleasably connect to either of the first connector and the secondconnector, and a fourth connector attached to the accessory support unitand configured to releasably connect to the other of the first connectorand the second connector.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 furthercomprising: a fifth connector connected to the first portion of theshoulder harness and extending downwardly away from the first portion, asixth connector connected to the second portion of the shoulder harnessand extending downwardly from away from the second portion, a seventhconnector attached to the electronic device support pouch and configuredto releasably connect to either of the fifth connector and the sixthconnector, and an eighth connector attached to the accessory supportunit and configured to releasably connect to either of the fifthconnector and the sixth connector.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 furthercomprising: a first adjustable length strap positioned between the firstportion of the shoulder harness and the first connector or integral withthe first portion of the shoulder harness and operatively connected tothe first connector, a second adjustable length strap positioned betweenthe first portion of the shoulder harness and the fifth connector orintegral with the second portion of the shoulder harness and operativelyconnected to the fifth connector, a third adjustable length strappositioned between the second portion of the shoulder harness and thesecond connector or integral with the second portion of the shoulderharness and operatively connected to the second connector, and a fourthadjustable length strap positioned between the second portion of theshoulder harness and the sixth connector or integral with the secondportion of the shoulder harness and operatively connected to the sixthconnector.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a connectorfor releasably interconnecting the first portion of the shoulder harnesswith the second portion of the shoulder harness.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the electronic device support pouch defines an openingbetween a top and a bottom thereof, the opening oriented toward a frontof the wearer when the apparatus is worn by the wearer.
 9. The apparatusof claim 8 wherein the electronic device defines a width, and whereinthe opening defines a length, and wherein the length of the opening issized to receive the width of the electronic device therein.
 10. Theapparatus of any of claim 8 wherein the electronic device defines alength, and wherein the electronic device support pouch defines a depthbetween the opening and an end of the electronic device support pouchopposite the opening, and wherein the depth of the electronic devicesupport pouch is less than the length of the electronic device such thatone end of the electronic device protrudes from the opening of theelectronic device support pouch when the electronic device is receivedcompletely within the electronic device support pouch with an oppositeend of the electronic device in contact with the end of the electronicdevice support pouch opposite the opening.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10further comprising a closure strap attached at one end to one side ofthe electronic device support pouch and having an opposite free endconfigured to engage a locking structure of the electronic devicesupport pouch, the closure strap sized to extend across the opening fromthe one side of the electronic device support pouch to an opposite sideof the electronic device support pouch over and in contact with one endof the electronic device which protrudes from the opening when theelectronic device is received within the electronic device storagepouch, the closure strap thereby retaining the electronic device withinthe electronic device storage pouch.
 12. The apparatus of claim 8wherein the opening is biased to a partially open position.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic device support pouchcomprises one of a rigid, semi-rigid and flexible interior cavity. 14.The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the electronic device support pouch issupported by the shoulder harness such that the opening defines an angleof approximately 15-20 degrees relative to vertical.
 15. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein the accessory support unit comprises a storage pouch.16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the storage pouch comprises a flapthat is extendable over the storage pouch and a closure mechanismconfigured to selectively secure the flap to the storage pouch.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the accessory support unit comprises astrip or pouch configured to store and carry therein at least one of abattery charging apparatus associated with the electronic device, one ormore writing utensils or stylus devices, one or more paper tablets, oneor more rolls of coins or one or more batteries, one or more cameraaccessories, one or more medical accessories, and at least one hand-heldelectronic device.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the at leastone hand-held electronic device comprises at least one of one of acellular telephone, a personal data assistant, a wireless communicationdevice, an audio storage and playback device, a calculator, a GPS unit,a camera, a video recorder, a medical device and a flashlight.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 17 wherein the one or more camera accessoriescomprise at least one of one or more camera lenses, one or more flashpacks, one or more batteries and one or more data storage devices. 20.The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the one or more medical accessoriescomprises at least one of a stethoscope, a thermometer, an ear, nose andthroat illumination device, tissue paper and one or more sets of sterilegloves.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least oneclip attached to the accessory support unit, the at least one clipconfigured to releasably engage at least one portable structure.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a strap having one end attachedto the accessory support unit and a free end, the strap configured toengage clothing worn by the wearer of the apparatus to anchor theaccessory support unit to the clothing.
 23. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the apparatus is constructed from at least one of one or morewashable materials and one or more recycled materials.
 24. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein the electronic device is one of a tablet computer andan e-reader.
 25. A body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronicdevice, the apparatus comprising: a shoulder harness havinginterconnected first and second portions configured to be supported byfirst and second shoulders respectively of a wearer, an electronicdevice support pouch configured to releasably attach to either of thefirst and second portions of the shoulder harness with the electronicdevice support pouch extending downwardly along one or an opposite siderespectively of the wearer when the shoulder harness is worn by thewearer, the electronic device support pouch configured to removablyreceive the electronic device therein, and an accessory support unitconfigured to releasably attach to either of the first and secondportions of the shoulder harness with the accessory support unitextending downwardly along the one or the opposite side respectively ofthe wearer when the shoulder harness is worn by the wearer, theaccessory support unit configured to removably receive one or moreaccessory items therein, wherein the accessory support unit isreleasably attached to the second portion of the shoulder harness whenthe electronic device support pouch is releasably attached to the firstportion of the shoulder harness such that the electronic device supportpouch is carried by the shoulder harness along the one side of thewearer and the accessory support unit is carried by the shoulder harnessalong the opposite side of the wearer, and wherein the accessory supportunit is releasably attached to the first portion of the shoulder harnesswhen the electronic device support pouch is releasably attached to thesecond portion of the shoulder harness such that the accessory supportunit is carried by the shoulder harness along the one side of the wearerand the electronic device support pouch is carried by the shoulderharness along the opposite side of the wearer.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 25 wherein the electronic device is one of a tablet computer andan e-reader.
 27. A body-worn apparatus for carrying an electronicdevice, the apparatus comprising: a shoulder strap configured to besupported by a shoulder of a wearer, an electronic device support pouchattached to the shoulder strap, the electronic device support pouchdefining an opening configured to removably receive within theelectronic device support pouch the electronic device, the electronicdevice support pouch having a flap sized to extend over the opening whenthe electronic device is received within the electronic device storagepouch, and a closure mechanism configured to selectively secure the flapto the electronic device support pouch.
 28. The apparatus of claim 27wherein the electronic device defines a length, and wherein theelectronic device support pouch defines a depth between the opening andan end of the electronic device support pouch opposite the opening, andwherein the depth of the electronic device support pouch is less thanthe length of the electronic device such that one end of the electronicdevice protrudes from the opening of the electronic device support pouchwhen the electronic device is received completely within the electronicdevice support pouch with an opposite end of the electronic device incontact with the end of the electronic device support pouch opposite theopening, and wherein the flap is sized to extend over and in contactwith the one end of the electronic device when the electronic device isreceived within the electronic device storage pouch.
 29. The apparatusof claim 27 wherein the apparatus is constructed from at least one ofone or more washable materials and one or more recycled materials. 30.The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the electronic device is one of atablet computer and an e-reader.